ENG-2004 — Page 510

440 | Recreation, Sport and the Arts

local educational and cultural institutions in the organisation of seminars and workshops for film students, researchers and general public. To research on the Hong Kong cinema, the Film Archive also conducted oral history interviews with film veterans and published a number of film-related publications.

The Film Archive also participated in collaboration and exchanges with other film. bodies and overseas archives in fostering public's appreciation of cinematic arts. Its resource centre, equipped with computers, independent video booths and a rich collection of film-related reading materials, was well patronised by the public.

In 2004, the Film Archive attracted more than 203 000 visitors.

Art Promotion Office

The Art Promotion Office aims to promote local visual arts through wide-ranging activities focusing on public and community art. The office places importance on undertaking projects with different partners, which helps to further enhance art appreciation and participation among the public.

The Public Art Scheme 2003/04 was launched in late 2003 with two artwork proposals being selected and will be installed in the new Ma On Shan Public Library and the piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The New Face of Heritage Installation of Public Artworks at Yat Tung Estate, Tung Chung, Stage II was jointly organised with the Housing Department with ten artwork proposals being selected and will be installed in the estate in mid 2005. Together with the 16 artworks of Stage I, they will form an Artwalk for the estate. The office also jointly organised the Camera Yuen Long: Art-in-Subways Project with the Highways Department and 72 photos by local photographers were selected through an open competition. The photos will be further produced into pictorial tiles on the walls of six subways in Yuen Long with an aim to feature the district's highlights and to enhance the public's interest in art.

Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre

The Art Promotion Office is also responsible for the management of the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre. Nine art studios, a lecture theatre, an exhibition hall and a multi-purpose room were open for public hiring at subsidised rates. The centre focuses on providing professional hiring facilities and training in the visual arts and promoting them. The third Art Specialist Course, which covered five disciplines ceramics, printmaking, painting, sculpture and ink painting - was specially designed for general art lovers who wish to pursue structured professional art training. The course lasted nine months and a graduation exhibition will be held in early 2005 to celebrate the graduation of 53 participants by displaying artworks they created during the course. A Prelude to the Olympics 2004: Exhibition of the Sport and Art Contest was held to celebrate the 28th Olympic Games in Athens.

Central Conservation Section

The Central Conservation Section continued to play an active role in the conservation of local heritage objects and cultural property across the territory. During the year, the section devised, implemented and evaluated conservation

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